#338 October 2, 2018

Matt writes: The 54th Chicago International Film Festival runs from Wednesday, October 10th, through Sunday, October 21st, and includes a slew of enticing titles, such as its opening night selection, Felix Van Groeningen's "Beautiful Boy," starring Oscar nominees Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet. Nick Allen previews the festival lineup here.

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018). Written and directed by Barry Jenkins (based on the novel by James Baldwin). Starring Stephan James, Regina King, KiKi Layne. Synopsis: A woman in Harlem desperately scrambles to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime while carrying their first child. Opens in US theaters on November 30th, 2018.

The New Romantic (2018). Written and directed by Carly Stone. Starring Jessica Barden, Sarah Armstrong, Daina Barbeau. Synopsis: Frustrated with the lack of chivalrous guys her own age, a college senior gives up on dating for love to date an older man in exchange for gifts instead. US release date is TBA.

Stan & Ollie (2018). Directed by Jon S. Baird. Written by Jeff Pope. Starring Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly, Shirley Henderson. Synopsis: Laurel and Hardy, the world's most famous comedy duo, attempt to reignite their film careers as they embark on what becomes their swan song - a grueling theatre tour of post-war Britain. US release date is TBA.

They'll Love Me When I'm Dead (2018). Directed by Morgan Neville. Synopsis: In the final fifteen years of the life of legendary director Orson Welles he pins his Hollywood comeback hopes on a film, "The Other Side of the Wind," in itself a film about an aging film director trying to finish his last great movie. Debuts on Netflix on November 2nd, 2018.

Galveston (2018). Written and directed by Mélanie Laurent. Starring Ben Foster, Elle Fanning, Lili Reinhart. Synopsis: After escaping a set up, a dying hitman returns to his hometown of Galveston where he plans his revenge. Opens in US theaters on October 19th, 2018.

My Dinner with Hervé (2018). Written and directed by Sacha Gervasi. Starring Peter Dinklage, Jamie Dornan, Andy Garcia. Synopsis: A look at the life of French actor Hervé Villechaize, co-star of the hit '70s TV series "Fantasy Island", who took his own life in 1993 at the age of 50. Premieres on HBO on October 20th, 2018.

Shirkers (2018). Directed by Sandi Tan. Synopsis: In 1992, teenager Sandi Tan and her friends Sophie and Jasmine shot Singapore's first indie-a road movie called "Shirkers" with their enigmatic American mentor, Georges Cardona, who vanished with all the footage after shooting wrapped. 20 years later, the 16mm cans are recovered in New Orleans. Debuts on Netflix on October 26th, 2018.

Prospect (2018). Written and directed by Christopher Caldwell and Zeek Earl. Starring Sophie Thatcher, Pedro Pascal, Jay Duplass. Synopsis: A teenage girl and her father travel to a remote moon on the hunt for elusive riches. But there are others roving the moon's toxic forest and the job quickly devolves into a desperate fight to escape. US release date is TBA.

The Oath (2018), red band trailer. Written and directed by Ike Barinholtz. Starring Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz, Billy Magnussen. Synopsis: In a politically divided America, a man struggles to make it through the Thanksgiving holiday without destroying his family. Opens in US theaters on October 12th, 2018.

Mid90s (2018). Written and directed by Jonah Hill. Starring Sunny Suljic, Lucas Hedges, Na-kel Smith. Synopsis: Follows Stevie, a thirteen-year-old in 90s-era LA who spends his summer navigating between his troubled home life and a group of new friends that he meets at a Motor Avenue skate shop. Opens in US theaters on October 19th, 2018.

Bumblebee (2018). Directed by Travis Knight. Written by Christina Hodson. Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Angela Bassett, Justin Theroux. Synopsis: On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie, on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. Opens in US theaters on December 21st, 2018.

Matt writes: Music icon Quincy Jones joined filmmaker Alan Hicks to chat with our writer Vikram Murthi about their new documentary, "Quincy," now available on Netflix. Click here to read their full conversation.

Matt writes: One of Roger Ebert's favorite films, Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," received a new extended cut available exclusively on its Criterion edition released last month. Click here to read Brian Tallerico's review.